Pull apart separable fastener



Dec. 26, 1950 L. H. MORIN PULL APART SEPARABLE FASTENER Filed March 23,1944 Patented Dec. 26, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 11 Claims. 1

This invention relates to separable fasteners wherein the upper ornormally closed end of the stringers of the fastener may be quicklyseparated or pulled apart. Further, the invention comprises a pull apartend stop construction which will check normal closing movement of aslider in the operation of coupling the stringers and wherein quick pullapart of the stringers is made possible by a forceable movement of theslider with respect to said normal checking means. The novel features ofthe invention will be best understood from the following descriptionwhen taken together with the accompanying drawing in which certainembodiments of the invention are disclosed, and in which the separateparts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of theviews; and in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the upper end portion of a pair of stringers,showing a slider in section in the normal stopped position of theslider, and also showing in dotted lines the position of the slider inthe pull apart position of said end of the stringers.

Fig. 1a is a section through la-la of Fig. 1.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 22 of Fig. l,

and omitting parts of the structure on the stringers forsake of clarity.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing another adaptation of theinvention.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 3 on a reducedscale, and showing the slider inthe position assumed thereby in the pullapart position of the end of the stringers; and

Fig. 5 is a section through 55 of Fig. 3 with part of the sliderstructure broken away and also in section.

This application comprises a continuation in part of the structuredisclosed in my prior application Serial Number 493,965, filed July 9,1943, now Patent No. 2,423,202, issued July 1, In the presentillustration, the showing has been limited to the upper end of thestringers, but it will be understood that the invention is adaptable foruse in connection with stringers having the detachable end couplings atthe other end thereof, as is taught in the prior application referred toand also as well known in the art.

In Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing I have shown at l0 and H portions of twostringers upon the beaded edges l2 and 13 of which are attached links orscoops l4. Secured to the beaded edge l2 of the stringer If) is asuitable end stop l5, whereas no such stop is employed on the stringer II, and in fact, a lesser number of scoops I4 are provided on the beadededge I3 of the stringer H. In other words, the stringer II has an endlink l6 beyond which the stringer I0 has a plurality of links, part ofwhich are designated by the reference character II. This constructionprovides the necessary clearance space on the stringer I! for receptionof a supplemental stop i8 which provides the stripping or detachment ofthe stringer II from the stringer Ill through one side of a slider IS.

The stop it is in the form of an elongated bar arranged on the beadededge l3 beyond the end link 16. ihe central portion 26 of the bar willbe of such thickness as to pass freely between inturned flanges 2| atone side of the slider. The flanges 2| are the normal flanges employedto engage the scoops I4 in coupling the same to gether and are alsoincluded on the other side of the slider, as will clearly appear from aconsideration of Fig. 2 of the drawing. This slider construction is moreor less conventional with a flared end 25 and a narrow end 25'.

The ends of the stop It have enlarged portions 22 and 23, the latterincluding upwardly and downwardly directed cylindrical bearing portions24 adapted to strike and ride over, the bevelled wall portions of theflared end 25 of the slider, as will clearly appear from a considerationof Fig. 5 of the drawing.

The enlargement 22 is of such thickness as to pass freely into thechannel 26 of the slider, and includes an outwardly directed tongueportion 2'! which serves to maintain the slider in coupled relationshipwith the stringer H to the limit of reaching its stoppedposition andbefore the pull apart separation of the stringers as is diagrammaticallyillustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawing, in which figure the outermost ortip end 28 is still shown to be in engagement with the slider. Thisposition of the parts is also indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1 of thedrawing.

Secured to one Wall of the slider It, the lower wall 29 in theconstruction shown, is a yielding means or spring member 39 having acurved end portion 3! which extends beyond the flange 2! of the wall 29,note Fig. 2, and serves to engage the central portion 213 of the stop tocheck outward displacement of the stop through the slider. In otherwords, the spring 39 in combination with the projecting cylindricalbearings 24 check normal closing movement of the slider or retain it inthe position shown in full lines in Fig. 1 of the drawing with theslider in spaced relation to the stop [5. However, by forceably movingthe slider into the dotted line position, the bar like stop [8 will beforced out through the side opening of the slider between the flanges2|, displacing the spring arm 3' 3 in this operation, and uponcompletion of this movement of the slider, the stringers If! and II arefree for pull apart separation in quickly detaching the stringers aswill be apparent.

The lip end 28 of the enlargement 22 serves to prevent a falling apartof the stringers If! and H when the slider is moved into the dotted lineposition while at the same time. permitting a free and controlled pullapart separation'of the stringers. In some instances, and particularlyif the operator is holding the stringer side i i of an article in thehand, this final opening movement of the slider would automaticallycause the two stringers to be pulled apart. In other words;.the.

combined pull upon the slider. which is retained against displacementfrom the stringer l and the pull upon the stringer ll would producethis;

result.

The construction shown in Figs. 3 and of the drawing difiers from thedisclosure in Figs. 1 and 2, only in the construction of. the slider.For this reason, like references will designate like parts in connectionwith the. stringers i0 and H and the associated parts thereof; In thesefigures, 32 represents a slider of the same general form as the sliderl9; excepting that the spring arm or member 353 has been dispensed withand instead, the inturned flanges 33 on opposed top and bottom walls 34-and 35 of the slider include at one side and at the contracted endthereof inwardly projecting members 36 which are spaced apart a distanceslightly less than the thickness of. the central portion 29, of the barstop it, thus producing the same checking eilect as the spring'arm 30 orits curved end 3|. With the construction shown in Figs. Sand 5 of thedrawing. the stop [8 is forceably removed through the side of the slider32 and between the. projecting. members 36 by springing the walls 34 and35 apart. In this operation of iorceably moving. the slider 32 into thefinal position, checkedby thestop [5, the cylindrical projections 24ride over the'edges SI of the walls 3 1 and 35 until these members 24extend beyond the surfaces 31 and'move into the position as illustratedin Fig. 401 the drawing.

In Fig. 4, the end 23 of theprojecting member 22 is still shown inengagement with the projecting members 36. Further, th two stringers l0and II may be pulled apart, as is clearly explained above. From thisstandpoint, the illustration in Fig. 4, while being applied to thestructure of the slider shown in Figs. 3 and 5, is also applicable tothe structure shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The bar or rod like stop members is: are in the form of die castings,and the central portions 20 preferably include apertures 38 which exposethe tapes or parts of the beads of the tapes therethrough. This tends toestablish a keying action which will aid in retaining the stop againstmovement or displacement on the stringer.

It will be understood that the outward extension 2? on the enlargement22 serves to guide the slider in its forceable movement into the finalstop position, and. thus produces a smoother action in the quick pullapart separation of the stringers. Further, this extension, maintainsthe coupled relationship between the stringers until the slider hasreached its final stop position, Furthermore, the enlargement 2 2. alsoincludesan inward projection 39 which is adapted to fit.

between adjacent scoops of an opposed. stringer,

as will clearlyappear from the accompanying drawing. This extensionfurther maintains the alined relationship between the stringers andguards against jamming which might occur if the stringers were strainedapart before the slider had reached its final stop.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

l. The combination with separable fastener stringers employing a slidermovable along the stringers to couple and uncouple the linksv thereof,of a pull apart separator at one end of the stringers, said separatorcomprising a bar on the end of one stringer beyond an end link of thestringen, enlarged portions at both ends of the bar, the slider havinginturned and spaced side flanges, the thickness of said bar between saidenlargedzportions being less than the spacing between the fianges ofsaid slider to permit lateral displacement of the bar from said slider,the enlarged portion at the outer end of the bar including oppositelydirected: cylindrical bearing members adapted. to engage one end'of theslider in guiding the bar in said lateral displacement from the slider,the enlarged portion at the inher endof the bar having extending tongueportions adapted to engage thefianges at the other end ofthe slideringuiding the bar laterally through the slider in the pull apartseparation of the stringers, and the other stringer having a stopadapted to check the slider against displace-- ment therefrom only aftersaid pull apart separation of the stringers has started.

2. The combination with separable fastener stringers employing a slidermovable along the stringers to couple and uncouple the links thereof, ofa pull apart separator at one end of the stringers, said separatorcomprising a bar on the end of one stringer beyond an end link of thestringenenlarged portions-at'botlr ends of the-bar, the, slider havinginturned-and: spaced side flanges, the thickness of said bar between'said enlarged portions being less than the spacing between the flangesofsaid slider to permitlateral displacement of the bar from said slider,the enlarged portion at the outer'end of the bar includingoppositelydirected cylindrical bearing members adapted to engage one end of" theslider in guiding the bar in. said lateral displacement from the slider,the enlarged. portion at, the inner. end" of the bar having extendingtongue portions adapted. to engage, the. flangesv at the. other end, of.the

slider in guiding the; bar laterally through the slider in the-pullapartseparation of. the stringers, the other stringer having a stop checkingthe slider against displacement therefrom in said.

pull apart separation of the stringers, and yielding means on saidslider controlling lateral displacement. of the separator from saidsliden.

3. The combination with separable fastener stringers employing a slider.movable along the stringers to couple. and. uncouple the links thereof,of a pull apartseparator at one end of the stringers, said separatorcomprising abar on the endof onestringer beyond an. end. link of thestringer, enlarged portions: at both ends of. the bar, the slider havinginturned: and spaced side flanges, the thickness of said bar betweensaid enlarged portions being less than the spacing between the fiangesof said slider to permit lateral displacement of. the bar from saidslider, the enlarged portion at the. outer end of the bar includingoppositely. directed. cylindrical bearing members adapted toengageone-end of the slider in guiding the, bar in said lateraldisplacement from the slider, the enlarged portion at the inner end ofthe bar having extending tongue portions adapted to engage the flangesat the other end of the slider in guiding the bar laterally through theslider in the pull apart separation of the stringers, the other stringerhaving a stop checking the slider against displacement therefrom in saidpull apart separation of the stringers, yielding means on said slidercontrolling lateral displacement of the separator from said slider, andsaid means comprising a spring plate on one wall of the slider'andengaging said bar in retaining the same against accidental lateraldisplacement from the slider.

4:. The combination with separable fastener stringers employing a slidermovable along the stringers to couple and uncouple the links thereof, ofa pull apart separator at one end of the stringers, said separatorcomprising a bar on the end of one stringer beyond an end link of thestringer, enlarged portions at both ends of the bar, the slider havinginturned and spaced side flanges, the thickness of said bar between saidenlarged portions being less than the spacing between the flanges ofsaid slider to permit lateral displacement of the bar from said slider,the enlarged portion at the outer end of the bar including oppositelydirected cylindrical bearing members adapted to engage one end of theslider in guiding the bar in said lateral displacement from the slider,the enlarged portion at the inner end of the bar having extending tongueportions adapted to engage the flanges at the other end of the slider inguiding the bar laterally through the slider in the pull apartseparation of the stringers, the other stringer having a stop checkingthe slider against displacement therefrom in said pull apart separationof the stringers, yielding means on said slider controlling lateraldisplacement of the separator from said slider, said means comprisingprojections on the flanges of said slider and engaging the barintermediate said enlarged ends, and the Walls of the slider beingadapted to yield in the forceable displacement of the bar from theslider.

5. In separable fasteners of the class described employing stringerswith a slider movable along the stringers to couple and uncouple thesame, means at one end of the stringers adapted to permit pull apartseparation of the stringers with the slider adjacent said end, saidmeans comprising a bar like member on said end of one stringer, saidmember having means checking normal movement of the slider at said endof the stringers, means on the slider engaging said member to retain thesame against accidental displacement from the slider, and said lastnamed means being yieldable in the forceable pull apart separation ofthe stringer and in displacing the bar member laterally through one sideof the slider.

6. In separable fasteners of the class described employing stringerswith a slider movable along the stringers to couple and uncouple thesame, means at one end of the stringers providing pull apart separationof the stringers with the slider adjacent said end, said meanscomprising a bar like member on said end of one stringer, said memberhaving means checking normal movement of the slider at said end of thestringers, means on the slider engaging said member to retain the sameagainst accidental displacement from the slider, said last named meansbeing yieldable in the iorceable pull apart separation of the stringerand in displacing the bar member laterally through one side of theslider, and means at end portions of the bar member for 7. In separablefasteners of the class described employing stringers with a slidermovable along the stringers to couple and uncouple the same, means atone end of the stringers providing pull apart separation of thestringers with the slider adjacent said end, said means comprising a barlike member on said end of one stringer, said member having meanschecking normal movement of the slider at said end of the stringers,means on the slider engaging said member to retain the same againstaccidental displacement from the slider, said last named means. beingyieldable in the forceable pull apart separation of the stringer and indisplacing the bar member laterally through one side of the slider,means at end portions of the bar member for guiding said member andslider one with respect to the other in lateral separation thereof, andsaid bar retaining means comprising a spring plate on one wall of theslider having a lip portion engaging the outer edge of said member.

8. In separable fasteners of the class described employing stringerswith a slider movable along the stringers to couple and uncouple thesame, means at one end of the stringers providing pull apart separationof the stringers with the slider adjacent said end, said meanscomprising a bar like member on said end of one stringer, said memberhaving means checking normal movement of the slider at said end of thestringers, means on the slider engaging said member to retain the sameagainst accidental displacement from the slider, said last named meansbeing yieldable in the forceable pull apart separation of the stringerand in displacing the bar member laterally through one side of theslider, means at end portions of the bar member for guiding said memberand slider one with respect to the other in lateral separation thereof,said bar retaining means comprising projections on the slider, and thatpart of the slider supporting said projections being adapted to yield inlateral displacement of the member from said slider.

9. A pull apart separator for separable fastener stringers employing aslider movable along the stringers to couple and uncouple the same, theslider comprising a channelled body defined by spaced walls havinginturned side flanges, said body having a contracted single channelledend and a flared double channelled end, the last named end havinglaterally diverging edges, the separator comprising an elongated memberat the end of one stringer, said member having enlarged end portions,the inner enlarged end portion of said member fitting within the channelof said slider body, the outer enlarged end having projecting membersadapted to engage the diverging edges at one side of the slider body,and means on said slider engaging said member to check free movement ofthe member laterally from the slider.

10. In separable fastener stringers employing a slider movable along thestringers to couple and uncouple the same, means on one stringer forchecking closing movement of a slider along the stringers, the slidercomprising a channelled body defined by opposed walls having inturnedside flanges, means on the flange of at least one wall of the sliderengaging said first named means, and the walls of the slider yielding inthe forceable movement of the last named means over the first namedmeans in the pull apart separation of said stringers.

11. In separable fastener stringers employing a slider movable along thestringers to couple and uncouple the same, means. on one stringer forchecking closing; movement of. a. slider along the stringers, the;slider comprising a channelled body defined by opposed walls having.inturnedside flanges; means on the: flange. of at least: one wall of.the: slider: engaging said first named means, the walls of the slideryielding in the: forceable: movement of the last named means: over thefirst named means in the pull apart separation of said. stringers, andsaid first named means having spaced. partsv engaging the slider inguiding thesame inaits movement thereover.

LOUIS H. MORIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following, references are of. record in the:

file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

